But to the Son, Your throne, God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
This quotation is taken from Psalm 45:6-7.
Throughout this section (if you notice there are a lot of quotes taken from the OT and especially Psalms) I am trying to look at the original context of the quotes as a help to interpreting how Paul might be using it in Hebrews. So following that trend, lets look at Psalm 45.
The title indicates it is a wedding Psalm. It is praising the king on his wedding day. In the previous verses, it praises him for his splendor and glory. He is pictured as mighty and strong, pictured in an idealized. "In your majesty ride forth in victory...let the nations fall beneath your feet." This is the high language of this Psalm.
So Paul in verse 6-7 sees the Lords anointed, the Messiah, Jesus, "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, a scepter of justice (righteousness) will be the scepter of your kingdom."
Angels are servants, but Jesus reigns (he sits on a throne). In fact he sits on his throne forever (literally into the age of the ages, or into the eternal of eternals; I love the way they say eternal in this place).
And like God, his scepter (or staff) is justice, righteous and it is the basis of his kingdom. At a time when everyone has to discover or find their own sense of "right." Christians stand in stark contrast by believing that Jesus and God are our standard of right and to be right we have to follow them.
An example of this is our attitudes towards sexuality in the States. Whatever you do in your bedroom is your business. Pornography is not wrong, it is just something guys need to do. However, Jesus stands up and has the audacity to tell us, If you lust in your heart, you might as well have cheated on your wife and that is wrong. Or thinking of others and thinking of how you might please God is more important than making money (storing up treasures in heaven). That is right. He teaches us right and wrong. It is the basis of the kingdom we are a part of.
So in this verse we find Jesus sitting on a throne (as opposed to the angels who are servants.) Psalm 45 continues in the next verse....(I will write about it soon)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Hebrews 1:7
And on the other hand to the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
This quote is taken from Psalm 104:4
Paul here contrasts who the Son is (as presented by the OT) and who the angels are (their characteristics also presented in the OT).
In Psalm 104, God is presented as the awesome Creator, but also the Creator who is still very much active in the creation. He is seen as the one who causes rivers to flow and rains to fall. Animals are refreshed by his work. The animals of the earth are fed by the grass that he causes to grow. God is viewed not only as the Creator of life, but also Life itself. "When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face,they are terrified;when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. (verses 28-29).
But in verse 4, (referred to in Hebrews 1:7) God is seen as the one who is over the angels, who he commands the wind and the flames of fire (lightening). They are his servants working and sustaining creation. They have a great place in this earth. However, the angels are still servants. In a household, no matter how important the servants are, they are not higher than the Son. Paul here shows the place of angels (a high one indeed), but contrasts that with the greater place and importance of the Son.
See how this develops in the following verses...
This quote is taken from Psalm 104:4
Paul here contrasts who the Son is (as presented by the OT) and who the angels are (their characteristics also presented in the OT).
In Psalm 104, God is presented as the awesome Creator, but also the Creator who is still very much active in the creation. He is seen as the one who causes rivers to flow and rains to fall. Animals are refreshed by his work. The animals of the earth are fed by the grass that he causes to grow. God is viewed not only as the Creator of life, but also Life itself. "When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face,they are terrified;when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. (verses 28-29).
But in verse 4, (referred to in Hebrews 1:7) God is seen as the one who is over the angels, who he commands the wind and the flames of fire (lightening). They are his servants working and sustaining creation. They have a great place in this earth. However, the angels are still servants. In a household, no matter how important the servants are, they are not higher than the Son. Paul here shows the place of angels (a high one indeed), but contrasts that with the greater place and importance of the Son.
See how this develops in the following verses...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Hebrews 1:6
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, He says, And let all the angels worship (revere) him.
This is the first verse to contrast the position of the angels versus the position of the Son. It reads, when he brings the Son into the world (that is the incarnation, the birth of the babe in the manger), God at this time commands all the angels to worship him.
This verse is probably taken from Psalm 97:7 (but there is some argument about that).
But we can thing back to one of the most treasured stories in our culture to be reminded of this occasion when the angels worship Jesus.
Luke 2 reads (take it away Linus):
And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they (the shepherds) feared a great fear. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
These great, awe-inspiring beings called angels worshiped this baby because God commanded it.
Jesus is the firstborn of the Father. In this passage, firstborn does not mean that at some point in the cosmos, Jesus literally came from a space-sized womb. Rather Paul is continuing to show the importance and preeminence of Jesus. In many different cultures the first born is favored (luckily not so in ours, well at least lucky for me). Jesus title of firstborn is to show his position not his origin.
So as the angels, these great spiritual beings are called to worship and revere Jesus, so we are called to praise his name.
This is the first verse to contrast the position of the angels versus the position of the Son. It reads, when he brings the Son into the world (that is the incarnation, the birth of the babe in the manger), God at this time commands all the angels to worship him.
This verse is probably taken from Psalm 97:7 (but there is some argument about that).
But we can thing back to one of the most treasured stories in our culture to be reminded of this occasion when the angels worship Jesus.
Luke 2 reads (take it away Linus):
And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they (the shepherds) feared a great fear. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
These great, awe-inspiring beings called angels worshiped this baby because God commanded it.
Jesus is the firstborn of the Father. In this passage, firstborn does not mean that at some point in the cosmos, Jesus literally came from a space-sized womb. Rather Paul is continuing to show the importance and preeminence of Jesus. In many different cultures the first born is favored (luckily not so in ours, well at least lucky for me). Jesus title of firstborn is to show his position not his origin.
So as the angels, these great spiritual beings are called to worship and revere Jesus, so we are called to praise his name.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hebrews 1:5
For to whom has he said, You are my Son, today I have begotten you. And again I myself will be his Father and he will be my Son.
In verse 5, Paul begins to show why Jesus has importance over all other spiritual beings (angels). He selects 2 Old Testament passages to show the status of the Messiah, Jesus.
The first he takes from Psalm 2:7. Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that in this case David wrote a song some 1000 years before the birth of Jesus that pertains to the Christ's life. God revealed this information to men long ago (prophets) that he might show his plan to his people before it occurred. Psalm 2 is a picture of (for lack of a better word) princes or dukes gathering together, conspiring how they might overthrow the King. However the King just laughs and says how he installed his Son as leader over all. The Dukes and Princes (who are called the leaders of the nations) cannot overthrow the Son because the Father has given him the right and the authority to rule over all. In this context, Paul is attempting to show the authority and power of Jesus.
The second quotation is from 2 Samuel 7:14. In this passage, King David over Israel has just completed his palace. He realizes that he has this beautiful house of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant (the representation of God's presence on earth) is in a tent. How unfair. So David decides to build God a beautiful temple. God says to David, you wanted to build me a house (temple), no one else has thought of this great act of love before. Instead, I will build you a house (ruling dynasty) that will last forever. As it is in this world, no one family dynasty reigns forever (heck we change rulers every 4 years here or so). But God will establish and install a ruler from the line of David that will last forever. God then says that he will share a special relationship with this ruler, he will be his Father and the ruler will be his Son.
Paul while trying to prove that Jesus is over all spiritual beings tells us of some of the characteristics we can know about the Christ. The Messiah, Jesus, the Christ shares a special relationship with the one God, He is his Son. God installed him as a ruler over this earth and over all spiritual beings. He will reign forever, no matter what anyone else says. His reign is not just over what we can see on this earth, it is also over what we cannot see in the spiritual world. So no matter who gets elected or who seizes control, they will always be under the reign of Jesus.
May we keep that in mind and always turn to him as the ultimate authority. He loves us and cares for us. Hus graciousness extends towards us. May we turn to our King.
In verse 5, Paul begins to show why Jesus has importance over all other spiritual beings (angels). He selects 2 Old Testament passages to show the status of the Messiah, Jesus.
The first he takes from Psalm 2:7. Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that in this case David wrote a song some 1000 years before the birth of Jesus that pertains to the Christ's life. God revealed this information to men long ago (prophets) that he might show his plan to his people before it occurred. Psalm 2 is a picture of (for lack of a better word) princes or dukes gathering together, conspiring how they might overthrow the King. However the King just laughs and says how he installed his Son as leader over all. The Dukes and Princes (who are called the leaders of the nations) cannot overthrow the Son because the Father has given him the right and the authority to rule over all. In this context, Paul is attempting to show the authority and power of Jesus.
The second quotation is from 2 Samuel 7:14. In this passage, King David over Israel has just completed his palace. He realizes that he has this beautiful house of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant (the representation of God's presence on earth) is in a tent. How unfair. So David decides to build God a beautiful temple. God says to David, you wanted to build me a house (temple), no one else has thought of this great act of love before. Instead, I will build you a house (ruling dynasty) that will last forever. As it is in this world, no one family dynasty reigns forever (heck we change rulers every 4 years here or so). But God will establish and install a ruler from the line of David that will last forever. God then says that he will share a special relationship with this ruler, he will be his Father and the ruler will be his Son.
Paul while trying to prove that Jesus is over all spiritual beings tells us of some of the characteristics we can know about the Christ. The Messiah, Jesus, the Christ shares a special relationship with the one God, He is his Son. God installed him as a ruler over this earth and over all spiritual beings. He will reign forever, no matter what anyone else says. His reign is not just over what we can see on this earth, it is also over what we cannot see in the spiritual world. So no matter who gets elected or who seizes control, they will always be under the reign of Jesus.
May we keep that in mind and always turn to him as the ultimate authority. He loves us and cares for us. Hus graciousness extends towards us. May we turn to our King.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hebrews 1:4
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
This verse ties the first three verses together with the next section that goes until the beginning of chapter 2. In this section Jesus is compared to the angels.
The ancients had a much better appreciation of angels than we do today (at least most of us). Angels by definition are God's messengers. When they appear to people they seem to always scare them to death. One example is in Luke 2, when the angel first appeared to the shepherds in the field it literally reads, they feared a great fear. This seems to happen whenever an angel arrives on the scene. Therefore, the ancients appreciated the fact that in the hierarchy of life was God at the top, then angels, then man, then animals. Jesus on the other hand was not as intimidating when he met people. People were a bit more comfortable approaching him, because he came as a man. The people of this time were having a difficult time understanding that even though the man that they themselves saw seemed lower than the angels, he is the Messiah and he is now GREATER and over them all.
(to see Paul's further discussion about Jesus humbling himself see Philippians 2.)
Jesus lessened and humbled himself to our level. After he died and rose again, God placed him in the highest seat in the universe, as was prophesied long ago (Ps. 2, 110).
To us today, how high is our view of Jesus. Is he just another prophet, a man who is lower than the angels? How seriously do we treat him? Do we give him the honor he deserves? Or is he just another religious figure that we use whenever we need or want something? Or do we revere him as the one he reigns over the universe?
P.S.
In the subsequent verses we learn what name he inherited. Also note the word GREATER or better than or superior in this verse. This is the first of thirteen times Paul uses it in this book. In fact the theme of Hebrews could be summoned up as:
Jesus >
Jesus is greater than...
And the complete theme I would place on the book is Jesus is greater than anything you could think of.
This verse ties the first three verses together with the next section that goes until the beginning of chapter 2. In this section Jesus is compared to the angels.
The ancients had a much better appreciation of angels than we do today (at least most of us). Angels by definition are God's messengers. When they appear to people they seem to always scare them to death. One example is in Luke 2, when the angel first appeared to the shepherds in the field it literally reads, they feared a great fear. This seems to happen whenever an angel arrives on the scene. Therefore, the ancients appreciated the fact that in the hierarchy of life was God at the top, then angels, then man, then animals. Jesus on the other hand was not as intimidating when he met people. People were a bit more comfortable approaching him, because he came as a man. The people of this time were having a difficult time understanding that even though the man that they themselves saw seemed lower than the angels, he is the Messiah and he is now GREATER and over them all.
(to see Paul's further discussion about Jesus humbling himself see Philippians 2.)
Jesus lessened and humbled himself to our level. After he died and rose again, God placed him in the highest seat in the universe, as was prophesied long ago (Ps. 2, 110).
To us today, how high is our view of Jesus. Is he just another prophet, a man who is lower than the angels? How seriously do we treat him? Do we give him the honor he deserves? Or is he just another religious figure that we use whenever we need or want something? Or do we revere him as the one he reigns over the universe?
P.S.
In the subsequent verses we learn what name he inherited. Also note the word GREATER or better than or superior in this verse. This is the first of thirteen times Paul uses it in this book. In fact the theme of Hebrews could be summoned up as:
Jesus >
Jesus is greater than...
And the complete theme I would place on the book is Jesus is greater than anything you could think of.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Hebrews 1:2-3
But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
After Paul states that God has finally spoken to mankind through his Son, he describes him in 7 ways. These words reflect a devote reverence for the Messiah, the Son of God. First Paul uses the phrase "last days" to describe the present time. In the Hebrew mind there are two times, the present times and the last days. "The last days" is a technical term with the understanding of God's judgment and the Messiah's rule being connected to this period of time. But back to the 7 descriptive statements. I am going to look at each one, so we do not miss any of this great statements of faith.
1) Whom he appointed heir of all things.
The God of the universe is over all. He can give to whomever he pleases. Before his first coming, He chose to give everything in the universe to his Son. Jesus is the heir to all, so everything belongs to him. The Jewish Prophets speak of God giving everything to his Messiah (see Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 for one of the few examples). Even now, we like to think that we have some ownership over one part of another of the earth, but ultimately it is Jesus who can claim it.
2) And through whom he made the universe.
In John 1, it states that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. When was creating, he spoke everything into existence. Jesus was the Word through which God was creating at the time. This is a deep and hard to comprehend idea, but it is true. Colossians 1 also speaks of creation becoming through Jesus, stating that "by him all things were created...all things were by him and for him." It is amazing to think that the man who was walking around and teaching some 2000 years ago in Israel was creating the creation he was to redeem later.
3-4) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.
These two are closely tide together, so I am like explaining them together.
The word translated radiance here is the word for reflection. God glory is spoken of as a bright light. If we were to look at him face to face, we would die. When Moses experienced God's glory in Exodus 34 he face was lit for days. Jesus perfectly reflects that same glory to us. He acts as a mirror. Some in the early church spoke of Jesus as the sunshine of the sun or light of light.
He is also the exact representation of his essence. The invisible, transcendent God that is inaccessible to us is suddenly found in the physical and accessible-ness humanity of Jesus. The who at times seems so far from us, because we are so sinful before him, is directly in front of us in the form of Jesus. The idea is that Jesus perfectly represents all of God's characteristics to us. If one was to wonder how God would act or think in a certain situation, they only need to go as far as Jesus to know.
5) Sustaining all things by his powerful word.
God is not a distant God (even though it may feel like that at times). God is spoken of as a God who is continuously holding up the creation he made. He is the one who sends the rains in season. Read Psalm 104 for examples. He cares for his creation. Now we see those exact same words are said of Jesus. The way I like to think of it is picturing a child who does not know how to walk on their own. They only was they can stand on their two feet and move is by their parent holding their hands and keeping them up. In the same way, this earth we share, this breath we all breath is sustained by our Lord Jesus.
6) After he had provided purification for sins.
The problem in everyone's life is that none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes (in Christian lingo, we all sin). That is the greatest problem on this earth. That causes a disconnect with God, who is perfect and holy. The only way we can get connected with God and begin to become right (redemption) is by being rid of sin. We can not do that on our own. Jesus died that we might be pure in the sight of God. Even though we still sin, he sees us as righteous. We cannot earn this on our own. Jesus provides it for us. Mediate on Isaiah 53.
7) He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
The was the Greek literally translates here is (or how I not so perfectly translated it), "He caused to sit [was appointed] in the right hand of the greatness in exalted places."
Jesus did not steal this seat in heaven. God was pleased to appointed him to the highest position available in the entire universe. In the ancient times the right hand was the hand of privilege. Also "Majesty in heaven," or "greatness in exalted places," refers to God. The Jewish people believe that God's name was too holy to pronounce too great to use in vain (and how often we seem to do it today). They respected him so much that they did not want to just use his name in a haphazard way. So they would refer to him in ways such as the greatness or majesty in heaven. It was prophesied that one appearing as the Son of Man would be seated in the highest place in the heavens (Daniel 7:13-14).
This is the nature of the Jesus who calls us to follow him. We need to respect him and worship him in the manner he deserves. According the Bible, he is more than just a man, he is the one who deserves everyone to turn to him and obey his words. May we all give him the reverence and worship only he deserves.
After Paul states that God has finally spoken to mankind through his Son, he describes him in 7 ways. These words reflect a devote reverence for the Messiah, the Son of God. First Paul uses the phrase "last days" to describe the present time. In the Hebrew mind there are two times, the present times and the last days. "The last days" is a technical term with the understanding of God's judgment and the Messiah's rule being connected to this period of time. But back to the 7 descriptive statements. I am going to look at each one, so we do not miss any of this great statements of faith.
1) Whom he appointed heir of all things.
The God of the universe is over all. He can give to whomever he pleases. Before his first coming, He chose to give everything in the universe to his Son. Jesus is the heir to all, so everything belongs to him. The Jewish Prophets speak of God giving everything to his Messiah (see Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 for one of the few examples). Even now, we like to think that we have some ownership over one part of another of the earth, but ultimately it is Jesus who can claim it.
2) And through whom he made the universe.
In John 1, it states that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. When was creating, he spoke everything into existence. Jesus was the Word through which God was creating at the time. This is a deep and hard to comprehend idea, but it is true. Colossians 1 also speaks of creation becoming through Jesus, stating that "by him all things were created...all things were by him and for him." It is amazing to think that the man who was walking around and teaching some 2000 years ago in Israel was creating the creation he was to redeem later.
3-4) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.
These two are closely tide together, so I am like explaining them together.
The word translated radiance here is the word for reflection. God glory is spoken of as a bright light. If we were to look at him face to face, we would die. When Moses experienced God's glory in Exodus 34 he face was lit for days. Jesus perfectly reflects that same glory to us. He acts as a mirror. Some in the early church spoke of Jesus as the sunshine of the sun or light of light.
He is also the exact representation of his essence. The invisible, transcendent God that is inaccessible to us is suddenly found in the physical and accessible-ness humanity of Jesus. The who at times seems so far from us, because we are so sinful before him, is directly in front of us in the form of Jesus. The idea is that Jesus perfectly represents all of God's characteristics to us. If one was to wonder how God would act or think in a certain situation, they only need to go as far as Jesus to know.
5) Sustaining all things by his powerful word.
God is not a distant God (even though it may feel like that at times). God is spoken of as a God who is continuously holding up the creation he made. He is the one who sends the rains in season. Read Psalm 104 for examples. He cares for his creation. Now we see those exact same words are said of Jesus. The way I like to think of it is picturing a child who does not know how to walk on their own. They only was they can stand on their two feet and move is by their parent holding their hands and keeping them up. In the same way, this earth we share, this breath we all breath is sustained by our Lord Jesus.
6) After he had provided purification for sins.
The problem in everyone's life is that none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes (in Christian lingo, we all sin). That is the greatest problem on this earth. That causes a disconnect with God, who is perfect and holy. The only way we can get connected with God and begin to become right (redemption) is by being rid of sin. We can not do that on our own. Jesus died that we might be pure in the sight of God. Even though we still sin, he sees us as righteous. We cannot earn this on our own. Jesus provides it for us. Mediate on Isaiah 53.
7) He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
The was the Greek literally translates here is (or how I not so perfectly translated it), "He caused to sit [was appointed] in the right hand of the greatness in exalted places."
Jesus did not steal this seat in heaven. God was pleased to appointed him to the highest position available in the entire universe. In the ancient times the right hand was the hand of privilege. Also "Majesty in heaven," or "greatness in exalted places," refers to God. The Jewish people believe that God's name was too holy to pronounce too great to use in vain (and how often we seem to do it today). They respected him so much that they did not want to just use his name in a haphazard way. So they would refer to him in ways such as the greatness or majesty in heaven. It was prophesied that one appearing as the Son of Man would be seated in the highest place in the heavens (Daniel 7:13-14).
This is the nature of the Jesus who calls us to follow him. We need to respect him and worship him in the manner he deserves. According the Bible, he is more than just a man, he is the one who deserves everyone to turn to him and obey his words. May we all give him the reverence and worship only he deserves.
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